Music + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungAlbum: Wonder Girls: The Wonder Years: Trilogy Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: After just missing the top spot for the last 2 weeks, Wonder Girls’ "Nobody" finally moves up to No. 1 this week, overtaking DBSG’s "Mirotic". The top spot is well-deserved as this song is very popular in Korea. The girls will have to face a new challenger next week, as Bi’s "Rainism" is rising fast and is a threat to overtake them.

Music: Sigvardt, Mikkel / Lyrics: Yoo Young Jin
Album: DBSG Vol. 4 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for TVXQ!’s 4th album, "Mirotic," which was named as such to refer to music that draws you in and captivates you like a maze. It’s a very modern dance song with reverse beats. The lyrics are about falling for a girl at first sight and trying to win her over by seducing her with intense gazes, as if casting a spell on her. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

3. (+8) Bi – Rainism
Score: 883Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: Bi Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Up 8 spots to No. 3 is Bi’s "Rainism". This song has already won the Inky Gayo Mutizen award last week, and will definitely challenge Wonder Girls’ "Nobody" for the top spot next week. It will be an interesting battle as both artistes originated from JYP Entertainment. This is Bi’s first hit song since he left JYP. This song has already fared much better than songs from his last album. Bi was criticized for not spending enough time to promote his last album back home as he was busy launching his career overseas. Now already an established international star, Bi makes sure that he doesn’t forget Korean fans back home.

4. (-1) Brown Eyed Girls – 어쩌다 (How)
Score: 872Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Brave Brothers / Lyrics: Kim Yi NaAlbum: Brown Eyed Girls mini-album Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: The title track of Brown-Eyed Girls’ second mini-album "My Style". It features advanced electronic sounds and a highly addictive melody. The repetition of its refrain to the beat is especially impressive. The music video of the song shows the band members dressed sexily. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music: Tablo / Lyrics: Tablo, Mithra JinAlbum: Epik High mini-album "Lovescream" Track 6 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for Epik High’s small "LOVESCREAM" album. With a soft melody and sensual pop style, the song also features a gentle piano sound that ups the emotional vibe. It’s about being unable to not miss a former love for even a minute or a second. The music video uses a rewind technique and presents some powerful scenes. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

6. (-1) See Ya – Hot Girl
Score: 623Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinAlbum: See Ya Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for See Ya’s 3rd album, "Brilliant Change". A lively dance track with an electro-house beat, it showcases the group’s dramatic move away from medium-tempo ballads. The music video features spectacular colors and the gals sporting a doll-like style. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

7. (-1) Son Dam Bi – 미쳤어 (Become Crazy)
Score: 598Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Brave Brothers / Lyrics: Eric
Album: Son Dam Bi Mini Album Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: The title track of Son Dam-bi’s second mini-album, this dance song is a combination of retro and modern sounds that create a dreamlike mood. Eric’s rap adds charm to the song. The music video of "Crazy" shows the sexy Son Dam-bi performing a unique dance. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Sang Ho / Lyrics: Yoon Sa RaAlbum: Kim Jong Kook Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Han Namja is finally back! Finishing his military duty, Kim Jong Kook resumes his normal duty as a singer and releases his 5th album. Before he left, Kim Jong Kook was one of the top male singers in Korea. Looks like he will continue to be one as the initial reponses to his new album and this song is very good. This song has an attractive melody, and very sweet lyrics written by Yoon Sa Ra, who has penned many Kim Jong Kook hit songs in the past. Definitely a No. 1 song material.

10. (-2) Crown J – Fly Boy
Score: 520Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Crown J min-album "Fly Boy" Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Title track of Crown J’s mini album "Fly Boy". Written and composed by Crown J, this song is a hip-hop number in the dirty south style. Memorable lyrics express the confident lifestyle of what he thinks a really cool guy should be. The music video, shot by Crown J himself with a 6mm camera in his hometown, Atlanta, caused a stir. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Album: Shin Seung Hoon mini-album "Radio Wave" Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: The king of ballads is back! Shin Seung Hoon is one of the most veteran k-pop singers. Most of us know him from the song "I Believe". Unlike past albums, this single is like a "project" mini-album for Shin Seung Hoon. Instead of traditional pop ballads, this album has a more acoustic rock sound. Title song is "Turn On The Radio". Despite having minimal promotional activities, this album has been ranked consistently among the top sellers since its release, showing that Shin Seung Hoon is still very popular among more mature audiences.

12. (+6) Son Ho Young – I Know
Score: 425Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: Son Ho Young Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Title song from G.O.D member Son Ho Young’s 2nd solo album, "I Know" is a trendy R&B medium-tempo number with powerful beats accompanied by a captivating mix of catchy piano riffs and sophisticated electronic sounds. Written by Son himself, the lyrics speak of one’s agony preparing for an eventual breakup while still continuing to hang on to the last thread of hope. (cresits to ~S2~, YesAsia)

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungAlbum: 2PM single Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for 2PM’s debut single, "Hottest Time of the Day". 2PM is a new-concept performance group comprising Jun-su, Jae-beom, Nik-koon, Taek-yeon, Woo-young, Jun-ho and Chan-sung. The dance song’s fun lyrics are about giving a lovely woman 10 out of 10 points. The music video features 2PM’s surprising multitude of skills, which include singing, B-boying and acrobatic dancing. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music: Lee Sang Joon / Lyrics: Im Bo KyungAlbum: MBC Drama "Beethoven Virus" OST Track 7 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: The O.S.T. of the TV drama "The Beethoven Virus." Tae-yeon’s heart-moving vocals
harmonize perfectly with the sad melody. The song’s lyrics depict the sadness of love, while its music video of the song shows scenes from the drama "The Beethoven Virus." (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

15. (+4) W & Whale – RPG Shine
Score: 355Genre: Alternative Rock

Music: Bae Young Joon, Han Jae Won / Lyrics: Bae Young Joon, Whale
Album: W & Whale Vol. 1 Track 6 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for W&Whale’s "Hardboiled". The band W incorporated female vocalist Whale and released this album. The song features a light rock beat and electronic sounds. A captivating voice and dreamy melody make for a fantasy-like combination. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music + Lyrics: Brave Brothers
Album: M Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for M’s (Lee Min-woo) 4th album, "M Rising". A dance song of the "Dirty South" genre, it’s got lyrics that are about the psychology of a bad guy’s mentality toward his woman. The music video features scenes of M and Big Tone, who is featured in the song recording, scenes of choreography being practiced, dance performances and more. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music: Cho Young Soo/ Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: FT Island Vol. 2 Part 2 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Title track for part 2 of FT Island’s 2nd album, "Colorful Sensibility". First single "After Love" went to the top 3. "Heaven" was written by Korea’s top songwriting combo Cho Young Soo and Ahn Young Min, who wrote FT Island’s "Thunder" on their debut album last year. "Heaven" has an addictive violin intro that will draw listeners’ attention, while the song itself is the familiar rock ballad style we are accustomed to from FT Island.

Album: MBC Drama "East Of Eden" OST Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: One of the most anticipated dramas in 2008, "East Of Eden" stars Song Seung Hun, Lee Da Hae, Yeon Jung Hoon, Lee Yeon Hee, and Han Ji Hye. The megacast extends to the drama OST as well, and the title song "Opposed By Fate" is a duet between SG Wannabe and rising star Kim Jong Wook. Top songwriter Cho Young Soo, who has written hit songs for both SG Wannabe and Kim Jong Wook this year, is in charge of this R&B ballad.

19. (+1) TBNY – Hey DJ
Score: 289Genre: Hip-hop

Album: TBNY Vol. 2 "Hi Side-A" Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: A staple name in Korea’s underground hip-hop scene and part of the Movement family, TBNY are back with the new seven-track release Hi Side A, which is the first chapter in a two-release campaign (stay tuned for Side B!). TBNY invited many friends and frequent collaborators to participate in their album’s production, like Epik High’s Tablo. TBNY have featured in many of Epik High’s tracks before, and this time Tablo returns the favor by composing the main track Hey DJ, which is penned by TBNY. (credits to ~S2~, Yesasia)

Album: Shinee Vol. 1 Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track of SHINee’s official first album, "The SHINee World". The punky dance track with a rhythmic groove is a remake of Danish artiste Martin’s "Show the World". The impressive lyrics compare love to oxygen. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Blue: Songs to watch out under top 20Green: Editor’s recommendations under top 20

BONUS TRACK:

Seo Jin Young – 눈물이 글썽 (Tears In One’s Eye)Genre: Pop BalladMusic + Lyrics: Shim Hyun BoAlbum: Seo Jin Young mini-album "Tears In One’s Eye" Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: One of my favorite Korean female singers that most people might not have heard of, Seo Jin Young actually debuted in 2001 when she was only 18. Her debut song "Love Letter" was used in the KBS drama "Summer Scent" and the song was re-named "Missing You". Having a powerful yet smooth voice, Seo Jin Young’s ballads always have an attractive melody with a chorus part where she hits the high notes. Her latest hit, written by singer-songwriter Shim Hyun Bo, is also of this category. Enjoy it and check out her other songs as well.